Wolff parkinson white syndrome

Question 1

What is wolff-parkinson white syndrome?

Answer 1

Genetic disorder that allows abnormal conduction to occur in the heart via an accessory pathway.

Question 2

Aetiology of wolff parkinson white syndrome?

Answer 2

Congenital condition

Twice more common in males

Question 3

Clinical features of wolff parkinson white syndrome?

Answer 3

Often asymptomatic incidental finding

Acute episodes of SVT - palpitations, dizziness, dyspnoea, tachycardia and syncope

Question 4

Wolff parkinson white appearances on an ECG?

Answer 4

Slurred upstroke on the QRS complex (delta wave) - pre-excitation

Short PR interval (<0.12 seconds).

Broad QRS complex (>0.12 seconds)

Question 5

Apart from an ECG, what other investigations may be used for wolff-parkinson white syndrome?

Answer 5

If symptoms are paroxysmal - 24 hour ECG monitoring.

ECHO - to assess ventricular function

Question 6

What is definitive treatment of wolff-parkinson white syndrome?

Answer 6

Radiofrequency ablation of the accessory pathway.